This trip gave twenty-four students in Years 10 and 11 the opportunity to travel abroad and experience the snow fields around Queenstown on New Zealand’s South Island. The selected staff and students had an early start to the school holidays, meeting at Melbourne Airport at 6.30am. After the traditional touring party photos for families and then last hugs goodbye, the group moved through security and headed to the gate lounge for the journey to New Zealand.

Approaching Queenstown, we had an amazing birds eye view of the mountains we would soon be skiing and snowboarding down. On arrival we were greeted by blue skies and Kiwi accents before making our way to our accommodation where we settled in and prepared for the week ahead. Over the next five days the touring party developed their skiing and snowboarding abilities on the mountains of Coronet Peak and the Remarkables.

This program also develops responsibility and independence as students skied and snowboarded in groups without direct teacher instructions. With a walkie-talkie and trail map in hand, students demonstrated our school values by working together to keep each other safe whilst having fun on the slopes. All twenty-four students are to be praised for their excellent behaviour and the responsible manner in which they conducted themselves.

Jeff Rieniets – Director of Outdoor Education